Video Searching Using TV and User Interfaces Therefor

ABSTRACT

Using a TV, a viewer watching broadcast TV or Internet video content on a display can select a “Video Search” application indicating viewer desire to obtain information about a currently playing video program. The application is invoked to send a name of the currently playing video program to a server on the Internet and associated with a database to cause the server to execute a search only of the database associated with the Internet server and not to execute a search of the Internet. The server returns metadata related to the currently playing video program, which is presented on the display along with the currently playing video program.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to video searching using TVs and user interfaces (UI) related to the searching.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Audio video (AV) devices such as TVs are growing increasingly capable, enabling viewers to watch videos from a wide range of sources with concomitant features. As understood herein, presenting additional information to viewers in an easy, intuitive, and non-cluttered way is desirable as more consumers demand increased access to supplemental information without wanting to operate computers to obtain the information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An audio video (AV) device includes a video display and a processor accessing instructions on a computer readable medium to execute the instructions to control the display to present a user interface (UI) on the display. The UI includes at least a video tab and a cast tab. Responsive to selection of the video tab in a seed mode of “video”, the processor presents on the UI a description of a currently input AV program to the device. On the other hand, the processor, responsive to selection of the video tab in a seed mode of “cast”, presents on the UI names of plural AV programs other than the currently input AV program with which a currently designated person associated with the currently input AV program is also associated. In further contrast, responsive to selection of the cast tab in the seed mode of “video”, the processor presents on the UI names of plural people associated with the currently input AV program, whereas responsive to selection of the cast tab in a seed mode of “cast” the processor presents on the UI biographic information of the currently designated person.

The UI may further include a “related” tab selection of which causes the processor to present on the UI AV programs associated with the currently input AV program including differently edited versions of the currently input AV program. In example embodiments the UI can include a “text search” tab selectable to cause the processor to present on the display the UI along with a pop-window overlaid thereon, permitting a user to select from a video category and a cast member category and no other categories. The window can include a pane into which a user can enter one or more search terms. The processor executes a search on the selected category using the one or more search terms.

Still further, the UI can have a “history” tab selectable to present a list of recently viewed AV programs. If desired, the UI may include a “bookmark” tab selectable to present a list of recently viewed AV programs. The processor receives selection of an AV program on the list of recently viewed AV programs when the bookmark tab is invoked and in response to the selection adds the AV program to a bookmark file.

In some implementations the UI presents a seed name and a “search” selector element. The processor, responsive to selection of the “search” selector element, presents on the display a search pop-up window presenting a list of applications and/or services. The processor receives selection of an application and/or service from the list and responsive thereto passes the seed name to the application and/or service selected by the user to execute a non-Internet database search using the seed name. The processor executes the application and/or service selected by the user to present results of the search on the display. The example search pop-up window may also include a textual representation of a video or cast member selectable to search for content related to the video or cast member. The search pop-up window can further present an icon and title of the video or cast member and an icon associated with a service and a name of a search item.

The UI may further display a seed name and a column of icons representing respective AV program sources including at least one TV signal source and at least one Internet source. The icons represent sources from which content related to the seed name is available. An icon is selectable to cause the content related to the seed name to be received from the respective source,

In another aspect, a method includes receiving, from a viewer watching broadcast TV or Internet video content on a display, selection of a “Video Search” application indicating viewer desire to obtain information about a currently playing video program. Responsive to selection of the “Video Search” application, the “Video Search” application is invoked and executed to send a name of the currently playing video program to a server on the Internet and associated with a database. This causes the server to execute a search only of the database associated with the Internet server and not to execute a search of the Internet. The method includes receiving from the server metadata related to the currently playing video program, with the metadata including information about the currently playing video program and the cast thereof. Information from the metadata is presented on the video display along with the currently playing video program.

In another aspect, an audio video (AV) device includes a video display presenting a currently input AV program and a processor accessing instructions on a computer readable medium to execute the instructions to control the display to present a user interface (UI) on the display. The UI presents a seed name and a “search” selector element. The processor, responsive to selection of the “search” selector element, presents on the display a search pop-up window presenting a list of applications and/or services. The processor receives selection of an application and/or service from the list and responsive thereto passes the seed name to the application and/or service selected by the user to execute a non-Internet database search using the seed name. The processor executes the application and/or service selected by the user to present results of the search on the display.

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system in accordance with present principles;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing example overall logic in accordance with present principles;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing example “search apps” logic;

FIG. 4 is a screen shot of a user interface (UI) illustrating various portions and selector elements;

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of a search UI;

FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the video tab and the seed is “video”;

FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the video tab and the seed is “cast”;

FIG. 8 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the cast tab and the seed is “video”;

FIG. 9 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the cast tab and the seed is “cast”;

FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the “related” tab (seed must be “video”);

FIG. 11 is a screen shot of a text search pop-up window that is presented when the text search tab is selected;

FIG. 12 is a screen shot of a UI that presents results of the search entered from the UI of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the seed history tab (seed can be “video” or “cast”); and

FIG. 14 is a screen shot of a UI that is presented responsive to selection of the bookmark tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an audio video (AV) display device 12 such as a TV includes a housing 14 bearing a digital processor 16. The processor 16 can control a visual display 18 and an audible display 20 such as one or more speakers. The visual display may be a touch screen display or high definition TV display or other appropriate video display.

To undertake present principles, the processor 16 may access one or more computer readable storage media 22 such as but not limited to RAM-based storage (e.g., a chip implementing dynamic random access memory (DRAM)) and/or flash memory and/or disk-based storage. Software code implementing present logic executable by the AV device 12 may be stored on one of the memories to undertake present principles.

If desired, in addition to the touch screen the processor 16 can receive user input signals from various input devices, including a keypad, a remote control device 26, a point and click device such as a mouse, etc. A TV tuner 28 may be provided in some implementations particularly when the CE device is embodied by a TV to receive TV signals from a source such as a set-top box, satellite receiver, cable head end, terrestrial TV signal antenna, etc. Signals from the tuner 28 are sent to the processor 16 for presentation on the display 18 and speakers 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, a network interface 30 such as a wired or wireless modem or wireless telephony transceiver communicates with the processor 16 to provide connectivity to one or more Internet servers, including a management server 32 with respective processors 32 a and respective computer readable storage media 32 b. The management server 32 may provide the AV device 12 with selective access to AV content from one or more asset servers 34. One or more AV input ports 36 can also be provided to receive television programming from respective sources including a disk player, a set top box, a cable head end, a satellite, a terrestrial broadcast antenna.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate logic that the processor 16 accessing the medium 22 may execute. Commencing at block 38 a video search command is received from a viewer operating the below-described user interface (UI) shown in FIG. 4. A video search algorithm is entered at block 40 to present on the display 18 a search UI at block 42. An example search UI is described further below in reference to FIG. 5.

Proceeding to block 44, user selections are received from the search UI. At block 46, responsive to the user selections a database (not Internet) search is conducted for matching content, with results being presented on display 18 at block 48.

FIG. 3 shows more specific search logic. Commencing at block 50, the processor receives from a viewer operating the UI of FIG. 4, a window (labeled “Content Area”) of which presents broadcast TV or Internet video content, a selection of a “Video Search” application indicating viewer desire to obtain information about a currently playing video program. The video search application allows users to search for information about videos and cast members and can be entered by manipulating, e.g., the RC 26 to select a “search apps” selector element 51 on the UI of FIG. 4.

Responsive to selection of the “Video Search” application, at block 52 the pop-up UI of FIG. 5 is overlaid onto the UI of FIG. 4, although in some embodiments the UI of FIG. 5 can completely replace the UI of FIG. 4. In any case, a user selection of a “seed” such as a video title or cast member name is received at block 54 and passed to a selected application at block 56. The application searches a predetermined database at block 58 for matching content and returns the content for presentation on the display 18 at block 60.

In the UI shown in FIG. 5, a header may be presented as shown, and the “seed” entered into block #1. The seed may be entered by typing in the name of a title or person and may be automatically correlated to the “video” genus by searching a database of video names and responsive to a match being found, inferring that the viewer has entered a “seed” which is a video title. Similarly, the seed may be automatically correlated to the “cast” genus by searching a database of person names and responsive to a match being found, inferring that the viewer has entered a “seed” which is a cast member name. Or, the viewer may directly enter “video” or “cast” or may toggle between “video” and “cast” using the RC 26.

Block #2 in FIG. 5 may be a video icon when “video” is the seed and block #3 may be the entered video title. Likewise, when “cast” is the seed block #3 may be an icon (e.g., photo) of the selected cast member and block #4 may be the cast title, either personal name, character name, etc. Rows 4 and 5 may be reserved and row #6A and 6B may be an icon and item name, respectively, associated with a selected application, e.g., an Internet TV application or a music search application. Line #7 may be a help text field.

FIGS. 6-14 illustrate various configurations that may be assumed by the UI shown in FIG. 4, hereinafter designated UI 70. In the example shown, the UI 70 includes a left-most column of tabs, in order from top to bottom a video tab 72 (which is depicted as being selected in FIGS. 6 and 7), a cast tab 74 (selected in FIGS. 8 and 9), a related tab 76 (selected in FIG. 10), a text search tab 78 (selected in FIG. 12), a history tab 80 (selected in FIG. 13), and a bookmarks tab 82 (selected in FIG. 14). As discussed further below, the UI 70 can be used to provide links that allow users to navigate to videos and cast members related to content in the main information/video area discussed further below. This creates an “exploratory” environment, enabling users to jump from one group of information to another. The users can access information about the currently playing video. Or the users can access a keyboard in order to enter and then search for any video topic or music track played on the AV device 12.

As shown in FIG. 6, moving to the right on the display 18 a main information/video area 84, labeled “content area” in FIG. 4, occupies the majority of the display area. Description below follows as to what is presented in the main information area 84.

To the right of the main information area 84, in some example implementations a column of selector elements or icons may be presented which a viewer can select respective AV program sources including at least one TV signal source (associated with an icon 86) and at least one Internet source (Internet sources are associated with website icons 88, 90).

The icons represent sources from which content related to the seed name is available. An icon is selectable to cause the content related to the seed name to be received from the respective source.

FIG. 6 shows that responsive to selection of the video tab 72 in the above-described seed mode of “video”, the processor 16 presents in the main information area 84 of the UI 70 a description 92 of a currently input AV program to the device 12, in the example shown, “movie A”. The description, like the other supplemental information described herein responsive to the selection of various tabs, may be downloaded from the management server 32 accessing various asset servers 34. The description can include the year of release of the program, its genre, run time, and language as shown in FIG. 6. Also, the description can include, as shown, a brief summary of the movie connections, production information, and a plot summary. A “more” selector element 94 can be selected to scroll the screen up for additional information on the current AV program.

On the other hand, responsive to selection of the video tab 72 in the seed mode of “cast”, as shown in FIG. 7 titles 96 are presented of AV programs other than the currently input AV program 98, with the titles 96 also starring or otherwise associated with a currently designated person associated with the currently input AV program 94. Along with each title 96, the actor's character name in the underlying AV program can be presented as shown along with a release year for that program and if desired, to the left of the title, a photo, e.g., of the actor in the character role.

In further contrast, FIG. 8 shows that responsive to selection of the cast tab 74 while in the seed mode of “video”, the UI names of people associated with the currently input AV program and, if desired, their photos, whereas responsive to selection of the cast tab 74 in a seed mode of “cast” (FIG. 9) the processor presents on the UI biographic information of the currently designated person including, e.g., the person's name, date and place of birth, and a brief biography.

FIG. 10 shows that selection of the related tab 76 causes the processor 16 to present on the UI AV programs that are associated with the currently input AV program including differently edited versions of the currently input AV program, e.g., “premier”, “High definition”, “trailer”, etc. On the other hand, when the text search tab 78 is selected a pop-window 100 may be overlaid on the main UT 70. The pop up window 100 as shown permits a user to select from a video category 102 and a cast member category 104, and in example embodiments no other categories are selectable. The window 100 can include a pane 106 into which a user can enter one or more search terms. The processor executes a search on the selected category using the one or more search terms and then precipitate a search of, e.g., the management server 32 and asset servers 34 only by selecting “search”. FIG. 12 shows that when the search is complete the window 100 is removed and the UI 70 presents a list of video programs that confirm to the query input into the window 100, including accompanying photos if desired and release year.

Still further, selection of the “history” tab 80 as shown in FIG. 13 causes the UI 70 to present a list of recently viewed AV programs. FIG. 14 illustrates that selection of the “bookmark” tab 82 causes the UI 70 to present a list of recently viewed AV programs. The processor 16 can receive selection of an AV program on the list of recently viewed AV programs when the bookmark tab is invoked and in response to the selection add the AV program to a bookmark file.

Additional details related to the principles described above follow.

TABLE 1 Video Search Areas Content Tabs: Video, Feature Tabs: Text Search, Area Cast, Related History, Bookmarks Header Application header Graphic Seed image Image for the feature Tab Mechanism to select the desired tab. Users scroll Navigation up and down to navigate between the tabs. Seed Header Content type icon & Text Search: Content type Seed of search icon & Search string (or blank if no seed) History & Bookmarks: Title of tab Content Information about the seed, Search: Search Results Area Add to Bookmarks button*, History: History of Search Apps button* selected seeds *Details View only Bookmarks: List of user-saved seeds. Search Apps Initiate Search Apps Not displayed button feature - hidden in list view Add to Add current seed to Not displayed Bookmarks Bookmarks - hidden in button list view Links Links related to content area. Not displayed Footer Application footer *This is the text displayed in the footer when the focus is on a tab. When the focus is on a text screen (pop-up window), the text string for <RETURN> is “Back.”

Format of the Content Area

The Content area can present data in two formats: details view and list view.

-   -   Details view: one result with many details about the result.         Often includes paragraphs of description. For an example, refer         to the Video tab when the seed=video.     -   List view: many results with few details about each result. For         an example, refer to the Video tab when the seed=cast         If there is no seed, then the Content tabs may be grayed out, in         which case the UI 70 never gives them focus. The text in the         seed header area depends upon the tab. For Video, Cast, or         Related Tabs, the content type icon and seed may be displayed,         but if there is no seed, users in some embodiments cannot access         these tabs, For the text search tab content type icon and search         string are displayed and if the user has not yet performed a         search, then the header may display a generic text search icon         and the string “text search.”

When the user selects the add to bookmarks button, the UI adds the current seed as a bookmark. This button is displayed in the content area of the Content tabs, when the tabs are in description view. The button is hidden when the tab is in list view.

As described above, the “Available On” links are links that are related to the seed. They are populated by the server-side database (management server 32). If there is no data from the database, then the UI displays the message, “Nothing available.” When a user scrolls to these links, the right pane expands to display text about each item. This content can be refreshed every time the user selects a new seed. The text next to each link is specific to Video Search. Each item can support up to three lines of text. The text is as follows:

-   -   Line 1: Name of Service     -   Line 2: Name of Video/Cast Member     -   Line 3: Cost of Service

While the particular VIDEO SEARCHING USING TV AND USER INTERFACES THEREFOR is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims. 

1. Audio video (AV) device comprising: processor accessing instructions on a computer readable medium to execute the instructions to configure the processor for: controlling a display to present a user interface (UI) on the display, the UI including at least a video first tab and a cast second tab; responsive to selection of the first tab in a first mode, presenting on the UI a description of a currently input AV program to the device; responsive to selection of the tab in a second mode presenting on the UI names of plural AV programs other than the currently input AV program with which a currently designated person associated with the currently input AV program is also associated; responsive to selection of the second tab in the first mode presenting on the UI names of plural people associated with the currently input AV program; and responsive to selection of the second tab in the second mode presenting on the UI biographic information of the currently designated person.
 2. The AV device of claim 1, the UI further comprising a third tab when presented by the processor, the processor when accessing the instructions beings configured for, responsive to selection of the third tab presenting on the UI AV programs associated with the currently input AV program including differently edited versions of the currently input AV program.
 3. The AV device of claim 1, the UI further comprising a fourth tab when presented by the processor, the processor when accessing the instructions beings configured for, responsive to selection of the fourth tab presenting on the display the UI along with a pop-window overlaid thereon and permitting a user to select from a video category and a cast member category and no other categories, the window including a pane into which a user can enter one or more search terms, the processor configured for executing a search on the selected category using the one or more search terms.
 4. The AV device of claim 1, the UI further comprising a fifth tab when presented by the processor, the processor when accessing the instructions beings configured for, responsive to selection of the fifth tab presenting a list of recently viewed AV programs.
 5. The AV device of claim 1, the UI further comprising a sixth tab when presented by the processor, the processor when accessing the instructions beings configured for, responsive to selection of the sixth tab presenting a list of recently viewed AV programs, the processor configured for receiving selection of an AV program on the list of recently viewed AV programs when the bookmark tab is invoked and in response to the selection adding the AV program to a bookmark file.
 6. The AV device of claim 1, wherein the UI when presented by the processor presents a mode name and a seventh selector element, the processor when accessing the instructions being configured for, responsive to selection of the seventh selector element presenting on the display a search pop-up window presenting a list of applications and/or services, the processor when accessing the instructions being configured for receiving selection of an application and/or service from the list and responsive thereto passing the mode name to the application and/or service selected by a user to execute a non-Internet database search using the seed name, the processor configured for executing the application and/or service selected by the user presenting results of the search on the display.
 7. The AV device of claim 6, wherein the search pop-up window includes a textual representation of a video or cast member selectable to search for content related to the video or cast member, the search pop-up window further presenting an icon and title of the video or cast member, the search pop-up window further presenting an icon associated with a service and a name of a search item.
 8. The AV device of claim 1, wherein the UI further displays includes when presented by the processor a mode name and a column of icons representing respective AV program sources including at least one TV signal source and at least one Internet source, the icons representing sources from which content related to the mode name is available, an icon being selectable to cause the content related to the mode name to be received from the respective source.
 9. Method comprising: receiving, from a viewer watching broadcast TV or Internet video content on a display, selection indicating viewer desire to obtain information about a currently playing video program, the selection being made using a user interface (UI) including at least a first tab and a second tab; responsive to user input, establishing a mode; responsive to selection of the first tab in a first mode, presenting a description of the currently playing video program; responsive to selection of the first tab in a second mode, presenting names of plural AV programs other than the currently playing video program with which a currently designated person associated with the currently playing video program is also associated; responsive to selection of the second tab in a second mode, presenting names of plural people associated with the currently playing video program; and responsive to selection of the second tab in the second mode, presenting biographic information of the currently designated person.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving from the viewer a search command to search for content related to a video program not being presented on the display; responsive to the search command, presenting on the display a search tab; receiving user input to the search tab; and responsive to the user input to the search tab, sending the user input to the search tab to an Internet server for executing a database search for content related to the user input to the search tab.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein user input is received from a TV remote control or a keyboard and not from a computer. 12-19. (canceled)
 20. The AV device of claim 1, wherein the first mode is established based on user input. 